Expectations for Cardinals offense and defense heading into 2025 season

Cardinals stats year-to-year under Gannon:

• 2023:
  • Scoring defense: 26.8/g (31st)
    • 355.7 total yards/g (25th)
    • 212.5 passing yards/g (13th)
    • 143.2 rushing yards/g (32nd)
  • Scoring offense: 19.4/g (24th)
    • 324.1 total yards/g (19th)
    • 184.9 passing yards/g (26th)
    • 139.2 rushing yards/g (4th)
• 2024:
  • Scoring defense: 22.3/g (15th)
    • 342.5 total yards (18th)
    • 216.1 passing yards (14th)
    • 126.4 rushing yards (20th)
  • Scoring offense: 23.5/g (12th)
    • 358.2 total yards/g (11th)
    • 214.1 passing yards/g (18th)
    • 144.1 rushing yards/g (7th)

Cardinals defense due for massive improvement:

The biggest point of emphasis heading into the spring was to improve the front seven. Arizona went from the worst run defense in 2023 to 20th the following year. Now, the team adds its 1st-round pick DT Walter Nolen, who was the second-best rated run defensive player in this year’s draft. With the new personnel of Campbell and Nolen in the interior, Gannon should aim to have an above-average run defense after years of being mediocre.

Another problem with the front seven through the past two years was the pass rush. Under Gannon, the Cardinals started 30th in sacks and rose to 13th last year. The signing of Sweat will continue that rise, and the integration of 3rd-round pick Oregon edge rush Jordan Burch and 2024 1st-round pick Darius Robinson, who dealt with injuries last year.

Linebacker Zaven Collins is the best pass rush returner for the Cardinals, coming off his best year with the team. Collins had 5.0 sacks and 5 QB hurries, both lead the defense but neither inside the top 70 in the league. The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season and will be paired up with Pro Bowlers like Sweat that will help with his development even more.

Gannon has the experience, youth and scheme to be a top 10 pass rush quite easily if the pieces fall into place.

Offense could face challenges next season:

The Cardinals’ run game has stayed consistent throughout Gannon’s two years. Running back James Conner has helped the franchise remain top 10 in the league in rushing yards, with back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons. The offensive line remains the same, with former first-round pick Paris Johnson Jr. remaining a force and leader in the trenches.

Arizona’s passing game has depended on the health of quarterback Kyler Murray. When Gannon assumed the head coaching position, Murray was still recovering from a torn ACL and returned midway through Gannon’s debut season. Last season was Murray’s first full year with the Cardinals coach, having his best season since 2020.

The emergence of weapons like TE Trey McBride and rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. was a huge crutch to aid Murray’s return to form. One of the few criticisms of Ossenfort’s offseason was not signing or drafting new weapons for Murray heading into 2025.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if the passing game struggles, with teams honing in on McBride and Harrison Jr. next season. However, Gannon can fall back on the Cardinals’ run game, which has remained a consistent force throughout his tenure, to keep his offense above league average.

Gannon enters his third year as head coach, aiming for a playoff berth and if the pieces fall his way, a division title. While the offense appears the same as last year, the massive additions in free agency and the draft should place the franchise as one of the favorites to make the jump in 2025.